Well I think most people know the basic story. The Volvo 343/345/340 started out life as DAF "Project P900" as far back as 1969. Unlike the Michelotti-designed "B" body cars (66 etc) the body design was done in-house.

Then various issues and things happened including the Volvo deal.

Longish story, not really for this thread, but I'll dig out Mr vdB's quotes and comments and pop them somewhere.

Sadly Mr van der Brugghen died in September 2006. He was a most charming, gentle and delightful man, and a wonderful engineer.

hi there and welcome!!

I remember reading in the Daf club magazine about some interviews and memoirs which were translated into English. Would love to see those reprinted? How about an article or reprint of them in the VOC magazine and here online?

would be some great volvo -daf info there! would be nice reading!

shimon340 wrote:would be some great volvo -daf info there! would be nice reading!

I'll second that

DAFchap wrote:Well I think most people know the basic story. The Volvo 343/345/340 started out life as DAF "Project P900" as far back as 1969. Unlike the Michelotti-designed "B" body cars (66 etc) the body design was done in-house.

So is there a "father of the Volvo 300" then? I'd read on various websites (including Wikipedia) that Michelotti designed the Daf 77 - it seems that they're wrong ...

On a parts trip to Holland a month or so ago I met a chap who used to work with John de Vries in the Helmond styling office and worked on the '85/'86 300 facelift. He gave me Mr. de Vries's address saying he'd be happy to be written to.

Still haven't got round to it though, I'm not really sure about which intelligent questions to ask

Tom

wow... an interview with him would be fantastic!